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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 19 April 2006 The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Howley (Chairman for the meeting)
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Mrs Griffin
Councillor Mrs Griffiths
Councillor Mrs Wackrow
Councillor Worthy

Officer:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Howley was elected Chairman for the meeting.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Worthy declared a personal interest in the renewal of the Scout Hut lease as a volunteer member of the Scouts.

Councillors Worthy, Wackrow and Howley declared a personal interest in the s.137 grant application for Radlett United Free Church Lunch Club.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 MARCH 2006

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2006 were signed as a true and accurate record.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 MARCH 2006

1. Letchmore Heath Pond – Grants from Lafarge & the Local Heritage Initiative – The Clerk had placed the order for the information board with the manufacturer of the similar board at Aldenham Country Park.  Before production of the Board, CMS had been advised to contact the Local Heritage Initiative.  The leaflets would now form part of the Hertsmere Walks Leaflets in conjunction with Hertsmere Borough Council, however, this would not commence until after the Board had been produced.  The Clerk proposed approaching Lafarge and Lottery Heritage initiative when the board was in place with a view to receiving a substantial part of the remaining grant before the walks leaflets were produced.
   
   
2. Internal Auditor’s Interim Report – The refund due from the County Council was awaited along with details of the interest accrued on the overpayment.  In future only attendance at evening meetings could attract pensionable overtime. 
   
   
3. Survey and mapping of King George V Playing Fields – A response was still awaited from Hertsmere Borough Council’s G.I.S. Manager, however, the Clerk would be trying to start the registration process by using maps from 1997. (Action: Clerk)

5. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

1. 28 Elm Walk – The Clerk was contacting another professionals regarding the damp problem.
   
   
2. Future Lease for the Scout Hut, Scrubbitts Wood – Members were advised that the lease was due for renewal in 2007 and to be able to obtain grant funding the Scouts may require a lease of 20 – 25 years duration. Members were also requested to consider who should bear the cost of renewal.  RESOLVED that a lease of at least 21 years be agreed in principle subject to the Scouts confirming the length required by the grant funders and the Council bear its own legal costs in renewing the lease.

6. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORT

Members noted the financial statements to March 2006.  Members requested details on income received on leases.  Further information was requested on the Youth Club insurance underspend for 2005/06.

(Action: Clerk)

7. s.137 GRANTS

Members considered the grants requested  and RECOMMENDED

Members also requested the Clerk to obtain a copy of the R.E.C.C. welcome pack for the Council’s records.

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 17 May 2006

9. RESOLVED that the following items were confidential as defined in the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

1. Staff Appraisals
2. Salary for the post of Deputy Clerk
3. Review of grading – Finance Officer post

10. Staff Appraisals

Members were advised of the appraisals that had been carried out for the grounds staff and office staff.  The Chairman of the Recreation Grounds Committee had seen the grounds staff appraisals and reported them satisfactory and the Chairman of the Council had seen the office staff appraisals and advised that they too were satisfactory.

Members reviewed the payment of overtime to staff other than planned overtime or evening meeting overtime.  It was not considered appropriate for the Clerk to buy back flexi/TOIL time or agree to pay staff for hours worked over their contracted hours without the prior agreement of the Committee.

RESOLVED that any overtime worked other than planned overtime or evening meeting overtime be authorised for payment by the Committee.

Members considered the recommendation that spinal point increases for those staff able to be progressed along their grade be approved and RESOLVED accordingly.

11. Salary for the post of Deputy Clerk

Members considered the report of officers and comments from the current post holder regarding the salary for the deputy clerk’s post in light of the changes made to the Clerk’s post and grading in April 2005.  Members were mindful that the hours for the post had been increased in 2003 and that the complexity of the work had not changed.  Members were not in agreement that changes to the Clerk’s salary should lead to changes in the salary of other officers.

Having considered the relevant issues, Members RESOLVED that;

1. the salary for the post of Deputy Clerk primarily reflected the weight and particular complexities of that post; and
2. should the Deputy Clerk undertake the Certificate in Local Policy Studies First Year, the Certificate in Local Policy Studies, the Diploma in Local Policy Studies or BA(Hons) Degree Local Policy Studies (University of Gloucestershire), then one additional salary point be added to her salary, up to a maximum of four points, for success in obtaining each of the relevant qualifications.

12. Review of grading - ACCOUNTS Officer post

Members considered the report of officers regarding the benchmarking exercise carried out to the Accounts Officer’s post.  Members were mindful that the hours for the post had been increased in 2003 and that the complexity of the work had not changed.

Having considered the relevant issues, Members RESOLVED that;

1. the grading for the post of Accounts Officer did not require an increase; and
2. should the Finance Officer wish to undertake a qualification relevant to her job, then one additional spinal point would be added to her salary for success in obtaining the relevant qualification.

Closure:  9.44pm